The Sacred Meal

I was disappointed and would not purchase or recommend this book. "The Sacred Meal" by Nora Gallagher is part of a series on ancient practices.

In the book, Gallagher addresses the practice/tradition of communion. She goes over what she thinks it represents, her experiences giving and taking communion, and she shares her opinions on what impact is has in life and why it is considered an ancient practice.

My disappointment in the book stems from the fact that it's a book of reflection and opinion. I was anticipating more study and depth. Gallagher would begin a point with a story from the Bible, but her end conclusion would be opinion and not actually found in Scripture.

Finally, throughout the book there are comments that were completely lost on me. For instance, at a point she was talking about how communion is a connection between God and man. She concluded with the hope of not becoming one with God in such a way as to lose her own sense of self and boundaries, but instead to become in God more like herself (p93). For me, this goes against what we are called to do as believers - less of ourselves and more of him is what we strive for. She strives to make a sacred practice common.